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About this project

We have documented an entire year in the lives of six real-bearded professional Santa Clauses to find out what the rest of the year is like for a man who perpetually looks like Jolly Saint Nick. In the process, they are shown for who they actually are: flawed, flesh and blood men who feel an overbearing responsibility to protect the integrity of the spotless, untarnished reputation of the "Red Suit." 'I Am Santa Claus' is a documentary that poses a question about a ubiquitous holiday figure that few parents ever ask themselves; "Whose lap is my child sitting on?"

MEET THE SANTAS

Santa Russell is a Senior Citizen who has been divorced for 19 years. He lost his job in the bad economy and eventually lost his house, causing him to move in with his daughter and 2 grandsons for about 7 years. All of this caused him to rethink his life and to stop being so upset with his condition. He became a happy, jolly Santa. He admits that portraying Santa is one of the few remaining positives in his life.

Santa Jim resides in Ft. Worth, TX and is the proud winner of "Mr. Texas Bear Round-Up," the largest gathering of hairy, overweight, homosexual men in the country. Although retired, he has seasonal work as a Santa. He is in a relationship with a Denver Colorado man 30 years his junior whom he calls "his special elf."

Santa Mick Foley a former three time World Wrestling Entertainment Heavyweight Champion, a New York Times Best Seller, and Big Time Christmas enthusiast. Mick has written Christmas Children’s Books, portrayed Santa for the WWE, even has his basement decked out in Christmas decorations all year. Mick has always been Saint Mick but never Santa Claus. This year Mick took the steps he needed to take the job, and the transition very, very seriously.

Santa Nicholas is the president of the Amalgamated Order of Real Bearded Santas. He currently resides in Florida where he quietly runs the group. He is one of the most unliked Santas in the Christmas Community having a very public feud with Santa Tim Connaghan aka “Santa Hollywood.” Tim is a year-round Santa who makes his living teaching workshops for Santa portrayers, booking Santa cruises, and is the official Santa Claus in the annual Hollywood Christmas parade. His movie, television, and commercial appearances are numerous. Tim being the former president of Amalgamated Order of Real Bearded Santas is where there heated rivalry began.

Santa Bob works in real estate in southern California and is a successful "Mall Santa." Being known as a Singing Santa, Bob sets to record his first Christmas album with his friend and fellow Santa, Gary.

OUR FIRST KICKSTARTER CAMPAIGN

We launched a Kickstarter back in January 2012 that gave our project the start it needed. If it wasn’t for the help of the people who backed us then, we wouldn’t be where we are today. Thank you to those who donated for all the support and we will keep you updated on the project along with our new Kickstarter 2013 campaign backers. All of us will become a big I Am Santa Claus backer family!

DONATE TODAY

We have been in production since is December of 2011 and wrapped the principal photography January 2013. We are in the middle of editing the film and plan to submit it to Film Festivals in 2014. With our kickstarter “kickfinish” finishing funds campaign we will use the movie to add stop motion animation to the movie. When Santa Russell losses his house, why not show it in the Classic Santa Claus type stop motion. We will add certain songs and license certain footage to really give the movie the material it needs. Along with Color Correction and a proper sound mix the movie will be finished bare bones for $40. That is our first goal.

INITIAL GOAL - $40K

If we can get past that, we would like to see if we can get to $80K. That sounds like allot, and trust me it is. But with animation, music, the proper color, and sound mix, it all adds up. And with our stretch goal accomplished we can do more than one animation scene, we can do more with our music choices, and we can start submitting to film festivals.

STRETCH GOAL - $80K

THANK YOU IN ADVANCE

By now, we are sure that you believe in this project as much as we do. Help us finish this amazing story about the inspiring and interesting men who dress in red. We appreciate your donation and will not let you down.

What kind of incentives do you guys have?

The $500 Dinner with Foley Incentive

Look what you get for $100

A Wanted Dead of Alive Shirt, A Wanted Naughty or Nice Shirt, 60 second voicemail and this photo signed by Mick Foley (personalized). Oh and Mick will follow you for a year on twitter.

The $200 Mick Foley package

We have added more to this already great package. Not just one signed Mick Foley picture, but three! You will also receive A Wanted Dead of Alive Shirt, A Wanted Naughty or Nice Shirt, 60 second voicemail and 60 second video message, a Saint Mick Bobble head, a copy of "I Am Santa Claus" and Mick will follow you for a year on twitter.

Included Chris Jericho and CM Punk autographs with this Hall of Fame Elbow Picture

Risks and challenges

With principle photography completed, there are few risks and challenges left. Getting the right amount of animation is important to us and working with a finishing house to get the movie completed in the appropriate amount of time so we don't miss festival deadlines. Reaching our Kickstarter goal speeds the process up so our expectations and deadlines can be met.

Rewards

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Project Updates, Behind the Scenes Video, and Soundtrack of the movie.

Estimated delivery:Mar 2014

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Pledge $25 or more

118 backers

Signed 8 x 10 personalized autograph by Mick Foley.

Estimated delivery:Aug 2013

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Pledge $50 or more

67 backers

All previous rewards plus an "I Am Santa Claus" DVD.

Estimated delivery:Apr 2014

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Pledge $100 or more

14 backers

All previous rewards, plus an "I am Santa Claus" T-shirt as well as a DVD of "Miss December" (producer's previous movie released by The Kevin Smith Movie club) signed by director Derek Lindeman, and a special thanks credit on IMDB.com.

Estimated delivery:Apr 2014

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67 backers

Mick Foley Fan Package #1 - 60 second personalized recorded voicemail from Mick Foley. You decide what the message will say (Mick has the right to refuse certain things that could be considered in bad taste). Also included is a "Wanted Dead Cactus Jack shirt" (legit ones, not knockoffs-they haven't been officially available online for years), a "Saint Mick Wanted Naughty or Nice Shirt," and a personalized Mick Foley autograph. Mick Foley will follow you for a year on twitter.

Estimated delivery:Aug 2013

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Pledge $200 or more

50 backers
All gone!

Mick Foley Fan Package #2 - 60 seconds recorded voicemail from Mick Foley.You decide what the message will say (Mick has the right to refuse certain things that could be considered in bad taste), Santa Mick Bobble Head, 60 seconds video message from Mick Foley-This could be a birthday wish or just saying hey! (Mick has the right to refuse certain things that could be considered in bad taste). Also included is a "Wanted Dead Cactus Jack" shirt (legit ones, not knockoffs-they haven't been officially available online for years), "Saint Mick Wanted Naughty or Nice Shirt", a personalized autograph, Mick Foley will follow you for a year on twitter, and a Copy of "I Am Santa Claus." (DVD will be sent in 2014)

Pledge $500 or more

13 backers

Mick Foley comedy package. Four tickets to a Mick Foley comedy show of your choosing, (You will have to provide your own travel and accommodations), plus a pre-show dinner with Mick, and four "Wanted Dead Cactus Jack" shirts (legit ones, not knockoffs-they haven't been officially available online for years). Mick Foley will follow you for a year on twitter.

Estimated delivery:Aug 2013

Only ships to: United States

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Pledge $1,000 or more

0 backers

Associate Producer credit and the Premium Package, 5 minute webcam visit from a Santa Claus from the movie (not Mick), great for your child or younger family members.

Estimated delivery:Apr 2014

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Pledge $1,000 or more

0 backers

Opening Credit Associate Producer, and the Premium Package and a 5 minute thank you call from the director of "I Am Santa Claus" and Mick Foley, also included is a "Wanted Dead Cactus Jack shirt" (legit ones, not knockoffs-they haven't been officially available online for years), Saint Mick "Wanted Naughty or Nice Shirt", Saint Mick Bobble head, personalized autograph, and Mick Foley will send you a thank you tweet as well as follow you on twitter for a year.

Estimated delivery:Apr 2014

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0 backers
Limited (2 left of 2)

BBQ Bash for you and 8-10 friends with Santa Claus and Mick Foley - available to Long Island residents only. Santa's BBQ will cater an event at your home or business, prepared by Santa Claus himself (he has the driver's license to prove it!) and delivered by Santa with his head elf, Mick Foley

Estimated delivery:Aug 2013

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Pledge $1,500 or more

1 backer

Mick Foley call in to your podcast (30 minutes tops), Opening Credit Associate Producer, and all of the Premium Package. Also included is a Santa Mick Bobble Head, "Wanted Dead Cactus Jack shirt" (legit ones, not knockoffs-they haven't been officially available online for years), "Saint Mick Wanted Nauhty or Nice Shirts", a personalized Mick Foley autograph, and Mick Foley will send you a thank you tweet as well as Follow you on twitter for a year.

Estimated delivery:Apr 2014

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Pledge $2,500 or more

3 backers

Mick Foley/WWE show package. 4 seats at a WWE Smackdown taping of their choice and an exclusive meet & greet at the show, plus lunch or dinner with Mick Foley and another 2 wrestlers before or after a show. (You will have to provide your own travel and accommodations) Also included is four "Wanted Dead Cactus Jack shirts" (legit ones, not knockoffs-they haven't been officially available online for years), and a personalized Mick Foley autograph.

Estimated delivery:Aug 2013

Only ships to: United States

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Pledge $5,000 or more

0 backers
Limited (5 left of 5)

Co-Producer Opening Title Credit, and all of the Premium Package. Also included is an in person 1 hour Santa Claus visit with you and your family (not Mick).

Estimated delivery:Apr 2014

Only ships to: United States

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Pledge $10,000

0 backers
Limited (2 left of 2)

Ultimate Mick Foley Fan Package. A Weekend (2 days) at Santas Village with Mick Foley and the director of "I Am Santa Claus" and 3 of your friends. Rides the rides, have lunch and dinner with Mick and the director. (You will have to provide your own travel and accommodations) Also included is a "Wanted Dead Cactus Jack shirt" (legit ones, not knockoffs-they haven't been officially available online for years), "Saint Mick Wanted Naught or Nice Shirts", Saint Mick Bobble Head, a copy of "I Am Santa Claus DVD", and Co-Producer Opening Title Credit